Obedience trumps Understanding
Often, God takes us through seasons that we just simply do not understand. This reminds me of the “why” stage our kids go thru when they are young. “Why is the sky blue? “Why do cows say moo?” “Why mommy, why?”
Can I remind you today that sometimes the why questions simply do not have answers. We are no longer little babes asking “why?” – we are grown children now and we still ask the same question of why? “Why is there cancer?” “Why do good people have to suffer?” “Why, God, why?”
Asking God questions is normal and expected. Sometimes He gives us answers and understanding and sometimes He does not. It is in those moments of not understanding that it is important to still remain steady in our faith and to trust God. God not only expects our obedience, He demands it.
Look at Jonah. God very specifically told Jonah to go to Nineveh, but because Jonah didn’t want to go and clearly he did not understand the why, Jonah did the very opposite. Jonah was afraid, perhaps a little angry and a lot prideful. He knew when God told him, “Go to the city of Nineveh and preach against it” (Jonah 1:2) that it meant that God wanted to give this ungodly city a second chance.
Repeatedly, Jonah selfishly tried to do his own thing, and not God’s. But God’s will always prevails, no matter what we try to do or not do, as in the case of Jonah. Obedience, according to 1 Samuel in the Bible, is better than sacrifice…
(1 Samuel 15:22) Samuel said, “Does the Lord delight in burnt offerings and sacrifices as much as in obeying the Lord? To obey is better than sacrifice, and to heed is better than the fat of rams.”
We all know how the story of Jonah ends up. God used a whale and it’s stomach to grab Jonah’s attention. And once Jonah accepted the will of God and obeyed, the storm in which he found himself in was calmed.
What “why?” questions have you been asking? Would you join me today in a prayer that will lead us to obeying God even when we don’t have the answers. Obedience trumps understanding.
DEAR GOD: Please forgive me for not obeying You. In those times of discouragement and storms when I don’t see the answer, comfort me and lead me to Your will and understanding. I don’t want to be like Jonah and find myself in a whale to find you. Let me see You and Your plan right in front of me and in those times I don’t see what You see, allow me to trust Your plan. AMEN
BLESSINGS. Laurie
@copyright2018 laurieadams
Powerful teaching. I think many believers turn away during the “why” seasons. I’m always reminded of God’s answer to Job in those times. ” Where were you when I laid the foundations of the earth? “(Job 38).
Thank you for the reminder to always trust God, no matter if we understand the “why”.